A Federal High Court in Abuja heard on Thursday that former President Olusegun Obasanjo has formally expressed his willingness to testify in the high profile fraud trial of former Minister of Power, Olu Agunloye, regarding the $6 billion Mambila Power Project.
The revelation came from the third prosecution witness, Umar Hussein Babangida, during cross-examination in the case before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie.
Babangida informed the court that Obasanjo detailed his position in a letter dated November 27, 2023, addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation.
In the letter, the former president stated his “desire to make himself available to testify in any court or forum regarding the award of Mambila Power Project or any other matter of national interest,” should the need arise.
The witness’s testimony centered on the alleged fraudulent award of the massive hydroelectric project contract during Agunloye’s tenure.
Obasanjo’s Key Denial
Crucially, Babangida recounted that during investigations, Obasanjo explicitly denied approving the controversial contract. “He said he was aware of the contract but there was no approvalโฆ no contract was awarded to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company during his tenure because there was no approval for the award of such contracts,” the witness testified.
This directly contradicts the basis of the charges against Agunloye, who is facing an amended seven-count charge for the alleged fraudulent award of the contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Ltd.
Historical Context
The witness referenced a 2003 letter from Agunloye to then-President Obasanjo,in which the minister sought consideration for Sunrise to construct the power station. According to Babangida, Obasanjo’s response at the time was that he had “no objection” but instructed Agunloye to bring a formal memo to the Federal Executive Council for comparison with an alternative coal-fired plant proposal.
The prosecution’s case hinges on the assertion that Agunloye proceeded with the award without the required executive or budgetary approvals.
When questioned by defense counsel Adeola Adedipe, SAN, on whether Obasanjo held a personal grudge against the defendant, Babangida stated he could not recollect any such assertion, emphasizing that the former president’s responses were strictly to their official queries.
The trial, which has drawn significant public attention due to the colossal sum involved and the prominent figures implicated, has been adjourned to a future date.
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